Electrical warp stop-motion for looms.



m3. 635,637. Patented Oct. 24; I899.

w. n. BAKER & r. E m. ELECTRICAL WARP STOP MOTION FOR LOOMS.

(Applicatin flledApr. 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheats-Shoat l.

No. 635,637. Patented 0ct. 24, I899. w. n. BAKER &,F. E. KIP. ELECTRICAL WARP STOP MOTION FOR LOOMS.

'(Application filed Apr. 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Nrrnn STATES PATENT rricn.

IVILLIAM II. BAKER, OF CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND, AND FREDERIC E. KIP, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRICAL WARP STOP-MOTION FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,637, dated October 24, 1899.

Application filed April 10, 1899.

the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrically-controlled warp stop-motions; and it has for its object in part to provide a loom for weaving pile fabrics with a stop-motion for the pilewarps as well as for the main or back warps; in part to provide for stopping the loom when a warp-thread breaks without disengaging the take-up pawl or pawls, the loom being provided with a weft stop-motion which is adapted to release the take-up pawl simultaneously with the stopping of the loom, and in partto provide an improved construction of circuitclosing gravity-drop.

Respecting the first-named feature of theinveution it may be well to state, preliminarily, that in the class of electrical warp stop-motions, an electric circuit is completed, when a warp-thread breaks,by the falling of a metallic drop, normally supported by an unbroken warp-thread. This completion of the circuit excites an electromagnet therein, and this magnet acts through mechanical devices to stop the loom. Such devices have been applied to the fiat warps of looms; but in looms for weaving pile fabrics the pile-warps are carried up through the flat or back warps at an incline from the let-off rolls or beams to easing-rods above, and the said warps are let off intermittently to an extent sufficient to provide enough of the pile-warps to float between the two back webs of the fabric. This makes the application of circuit-closing drops to the pile-warps quite difficult and necessitates the devising of special means for effecting the object, and it is in this special means or mechanism that the first part of the present invention lies.

Most looms are provided with mechanical weft stop-motions wherein the carriage on which the weft-fork is mounted acts when the weft fails to drive back a horizontally-arranged knock-off lever and through this lever Serial No.712,371. (No model.)

to free the shipperdever, so that it may stop the loom; but the knock-off lever acts at the same time to disengage the back pawl of the take-up beam and allow the latter to run back. This release of the take-up beam is not desired when a warp-thread breaks, and one of the features of the present invention is to provide a means for stopping the loom independently of the main knock-off lever.

In this class of warp stop-motions, and especially where the drops are mounted on pilewarp threads, it is desirable that the drop shall be open-slotted from the bottom thereof up to the thread-aperture for convenience in threading them, but'at the same time it is desirable that they shall beso constructed that the riding drop cannot be thrown up and unseated by the twitching of the warp-threads, and one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide such a drop.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view, on a small scale, of a loom for weaving pile fabrics embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a plan of the loom-stopping mechanism seen at the right in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the drop 3 detached, illustrating the manner of spreading the branches thereof; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of an easing bar or rod for the pile-warps, showing also a face view of the improved drop. Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail views illustrating the loomstopping mechanism, seen on a smaller scale in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 7 is a side view, and Fig. 8 a plan, illustrating the construction and manner of mounting the easing bars or rods for the pile-warps. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating a modified construction of the easing bar.

Referring, primarily, to Fig. 1, which shows the parts of the loom in a somewhat diagrammatic manner, IV is the main warp-beam, and w the main or back warps. P is the pilewarp beam, and p the pile-warps. R are the let-off rolls or beams for the pile-warps. A A represent in general the improved easing-rod devices, which. Will be more minutely described hereinafter. I-I-indicates the usual I00 heddles and harness for producing the sheds in the warps. r is the whip-roll. L is the lay.

, usual parts are merelyindicated diagram matically in Fig. 1.

G represents any form of electrical generator, and 0 0 the conductors of a norm ally open controlling-circuit fed thereby. This circuit is adapted to be completed when a warpthread breaks by the falling'of a metallic drop normally supported by the said warpthread upon or into contact with terminals of said circuit. In Fig. 1 three sets or series of such drops are shown at D, mounted on the threads of the back-warps, and at A two series of such drops are shown mounted on the threads of the pile-warps.

Fig. 4 illustrates the preferred form of contact-drop and circuit-terminals. 1 is a ter minal bar connected with the conductor 0, and 2 is a terminal strip connected withthe terminal e and mounted in the upper edge of the bar 1, but insulated therefrom. 3 is the drop, which is an elongated strip of thin metal slotted to fit over and straddle the compound terminal and provided with an aperture in to receive the warp-thread. XVhen the thread breaks, the drop falls into contact with the strip 2, and being normally in contact with the bar 1 it thus completes the circuit.

The particular construction of the compound terminal herein shown and above described is not specifically claimed herein, as this device is illustrated in our pending application, Serial No. 690,398, filed September 7, 1898, nor is our present invention limited to this special form of terminal.

In the ordinary loom for weaving pile fabrics the pile-warps are supported each by an easing rod or bar, (sometimes called a monkey-tail,) and the taking up of the slack warp is effected by a cam similar to those operating the loom-harness, the bar being supported by a spring which serves as a cushion or easement. The present construction, which adapts the device to the electrical stop-m otion, is best illustrated in Figs. 4, 7, and 8, and this construction will now be described. Each of the pile-warps 19 passes over two parallel rods (01' rolls) 5, mounted at their respective ends in plates or end pieces 6, the two rods and their end pieces forming the bar. Only one end of the device is herein shown, but both ends will be alike. The end piece 6 has mounted in it the compound terminal 1 2, which will be properly insulated. The electrical connections may be made, as shown in Fig. 7, through the medium of binding-posts 7 and 7 The end piece 6 is guided in its up and down movements in a slot in a fixed plate or bracket 8 on the loom-frame. The space between the rods 5 will be sufficient to reacross and bridges the space between the rods. ated below the rods and at about the middle of the space between them. The easing-bar is operated through the medium of wires 9, in which are springs 9"", as in the usual construction.

The preferred form of drop 3 is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. gitu din al guide-slot, a thread-apertn re above said guide-slot, and a bridge-piece 3 between said aperture and the upper end of the guideslot, said piece extending out nearly across the slot. It differs from the drop illustrated in ourpending application, Serial No. 690,398, in having the slot therein nearly closed at the lower end of the drop by an inwardlyprojecting part or parts 3', which effectually prevent the dropfrornbeing unseated by the jerking or twitching of the thread, as the projections 3" will catch under the terminal bar 1; but these projections will not interfere with the placing of the drops on the terminal bar, as the drops are made of thin spring-steel and the branches thereof may be sprung apart laterally at their lower free ends (see Fig. 3) to an extent sufficient to pass the drop down over said bar, after which they will spring back again to their original positions. on each branch or leg of the drop, but obviously the desired result will be attained if the slot be narrowed at the lower end of the drop or nearly closed by any suitable pr0- jection or projections 3.

The loom-stopping mechanism is seen at the right in Fig. 1 and in plan in Fig. 2 and in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. The knock-off lever K is coupled at its free end to the slide F, which carries the weft-fork f. \Vhen the weft fails,the weft-hammer (not shown) shifts the knock-off lever K, and the latter acts to force the shipper-lever 'S from engagement with its retaining-shoulder s and allows it to act and stop the loom. This mechanicallycontrolled weft-stop mechanism is well known and will require no more minute description.

The warp-stop mechanism comprises an auxiliary knock-off lever is, which rests on the knock-off lever K and may be pivoted or fulcrumed at the same point '0 on the supporting-bracket B On the lever is mounted an electromagnet M. By preference the lever It will have a pendent bracket h and the magnet will be secured to this bracket so as to be capable of vertical adjustment. The armature m of the magnet is carried by an armature-lever Z, which projects out toward the lay, and 011 the lay is fixed a tappet t, which normally when the lay makes its beating-up movement plays over the free end of the armature-lever; but the coils of the electromagnet M are in the circuit 0 e and when a warp-thread breaks and the drop 3 thereon falls and closes said circuit through said magnet the latter will be excited and attract its armature, (see Fig. 5,) thus putting the end The compound terminal will be situ This drop has a Ion-- It is preferred to form a projection 3" of the armature-lever Z into the path of the tappet If, so that when the lay next advances in beating up said tappet will strike the lever Z and through it shift the knock-off lever 70. This lever acts on the shipper-lever S precisely as in the case of the lever K before described,andthrough the shipper-lever stops the loom.

The object in having two superposed and independently-operatingknock-offlevers will now be explained. As before stated, it is desired that when the loom is stopped from failure of the weft or filling the take-up of the cloth-beam shall be let off so that the beam may run back a little and slack the warp and web, and to effect this a let-off lever N is provided. This lever is fixed on a rock-shaft n on the loom-frame and is adapted to lift the back pawl of the take-up ratchet when the lever N is impinged upon by the knock-off lever K. The upper end of the lever N proj ects upward into the path of the lower knockoff lever K, so that when the latter is shifted for stopping the loom the cloth-beam will be freed and allowed to run back at the same time. This let-off construction is known and it has not been considered necessary to show herein more than the lever N and the rockshaft n. It has also been explained that when a warp-thread breaks this letting off of the cloth-beam is not desired, and to enable the loom to be stopped without actuating the lever N the latter is shortened so as not to extend up above the upper surface of the lever K, whereby the auxiliary knock=otf lever is may be displaced without impinging upon said lever N.

The form of pile-fabric loom adapted for illustration herein shows the pile-warps arranged to pass up through the back warps and the easing-rods arranged to move up and down in straight lines; but the invention is equally applicable toother forms of such looms, and notably to those looms where the easing-rods move in a slightly-curved path by reason of their having a rocking motion.

l/Vhere the drops embrace the transverse terminals, as shown, so as to be held and guided thereon, and the inclination of the pile-warp is not too great, one of the rods of the easing device may be dispensed with and the apparatus will still be operative. This construction is illustrated in Fig. 9,which will require no special description. The construction with the two connected parallel rods is preferred. 7

Having thus described our invention, we claim- 1. In an electrical warp stop-motion, for looms for weaving pile fabrics, the combination with an easing device for the pile-warp, having two connected supports for said warp, extending transversely of the loom and having a slot or space between them for the circuit-closing drops, and the said drops on the respective threads of the pile-warp, of terminals of the operating-circuit moving with said easing device, each of said drops being adapted to close the circuit at said terminals when its supporting warp-thread breaks.

2. In an electrical warp stop-motion for a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination with an easing-bar composed of a pair of substantially parallel rods for the pile-warps, and end pieces connecting said rods, of the terminal bar carried by such end pieces, said rods being separated a distance sufficient to allow space for a series of circuit-closin g drops which embrace said terminal bar, and the said drops, substantially as set forth.

In an electrical warp stop-motion for a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination with an easing bar or device for the pile-warps, consisting of two rods connected and moving together and properly spaced, terminal bars carried by and moving with said easing device, an electric circuit including said terminals and a generator, stop mechanism controlled by said circuit, and a series of drops carried by the pile-warp threads where they bridge the space between the rods of the easing device, said drops adapted to close the circuit between said terminals when their supporting warp-threads break, substantially as set forth.

4. In an electrical warp stop-motion for a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination with an easing bar or device for the pilewarps, consisting of two rods connected and moving together and properly spaced, terminal bars carried by and moving with said easing device, an electric circuit including said terminals and a generator, a stop mechanism comprising the shipper-lever, a knockoff lever, an electromagnet in said circuit and carried by said knock-off lever, its armature and armature-lever, and a tappet carried by a going part of the loom and adapted to impinge upon the armature-lever when said magnet is excited, and drops carried by the pile-warp threads where they bridge the space between the rods of the casing device, substantially as set'forth.

5. The combination with the end pieces 6, and the pair of rods 5, fixed therein, of the compound terminal fixed in said end pieces below said rods, and slotted drops embracing said terminal, substantially as set forth.

6. As an improved article of manufacture, a drop for an electrical warp stop-motion, having a guide-slot opening out at the bottom of the drop, said slot being contracted at the lower end of the drop, a thread-aperture above the guide-slot, and a bridge-piece between said guide-slot and the thread-aperture which extends nearly across said slot, substantially as set forth.

7. In a loom provided with a shipper-lever, a main knock-off lever for freeing said shipper-lever, a weft-fork carried by the knockoff lever, and a let-off lever for the warp adapted to be operated by the knock-off lever,

the combination with an independent, auxil-.

iary knock-off lever 7c, mounted on the main knock-0E lever and adapted, when shifted, to actuate the shipper-lever only, a magnet carried by said lever 7;, and its armature and arn1ature-leVer, of a normally open electric circuit, including a generator and the coils of said electroniagnet, drops mounted on the warp-threads and each adapted to fall and complete said circuit when its warp-thread breaks, thus exciting said magnet, and a tappet carried by the lay of the 100111, the armature-lever being so placed that it is brought into the path of the said tappet when the armature of the magnet is attracted, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names this 10th day of March, 1899, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

XVILLIAM II. BAKER. FREDERIO E. 1UP. \Vitnesses:

HENRY CONNETT, PETER A. Ross. 

